Alex Mayyasi is the host of the new podcast Gastronomics (about how economics shapes the modern menu) and the author of the bestselling book Planet Money (based on the NPR podcast). He also consults for the University of Chicago's economics department.

Previously, Alex was the founding editor of Gastro Obscura, the food publication from Atlas Obscura which won two James Beard Awards and published the NY Times book of same name. He also was a writer and editor at the media startup Priceonomics, covering business, economics, and culture.

Alex lived in Cairo from 2011 to 2012, and in April 2016 published a book with Egyptian democracy activist Ahmed Salah titled You Are Under Arrest For Masterminding the Egyptian Revolution (a Memoir). He currently lives in Colorado.